Four men charged with soliciting for prostitution in Martinsburg

November 19, 2011

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Four men were charged with soliciting for prostitution last week in an undercover operation conducted by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office.

Gary W. Tugwell, 46, of Hagerstown; Richard L. Clites, 47, of Hyndman, Pa.; Alton K. Lloyd, 52, of Hedgesville, W.Va.; and Michael J. De Paw, 37, of Martinsburg, were charged in the operation, which took place Tuesday and Wednesday at local motel, according to a sheriff's office news release.

A "cooperating individual" working with investigators posted an advertisement on Backpage.com as an escort, the release said. The four men charged contacted the cooperating individual in a series of recorded telephone calls and text messages and agree on a price, time and in what room they were to meet the woman, the release said.

When each arrived, they placed money on an end table and discussed what sexual acts they wanted the woman to perform. As each man undressed, he was taken into custody, the release said.